Felicity's POV.
I was still lost in thought when someone called my name.
"Hello—hey, Felicity?" Chris's voice cut through my daydream.
I blinked. "Oh. Hi, Chris. I… didn't see you there."
"Yeah, right," he scoffed. "I've told you since day one that your eyes are useless. I'm literally standing right here and you didn't even notice. You're so lost in thought. But anyway… I'm sorry for what happened earlier."
"Ha-ha. Very funny," I said sarcastically.
"It's okay," I added.
He suddenly narrowed his eyes. "But why are you sitting in my spot? Find your own spot, you thief. Unless…" He leaned in slightly. "You want to share it with me? That can only happen in your dreams—or if we were dating."
He paused, and I looked at him in shock.
"Like I said… only in your dreams" he added with a smile.
"I don't want to hear those two words again—'dating' and 'girlfriend.' Scary words," I said, air-quoting. "And besides, I'm never going to date you. Gross." I smiled to tease him.
He frowned, his smile fading as his face hardened, and then he started walking toward me.
"Why? Am I not man enough for you?" he asked, stepping closer. I instinctively stepped back.
"Am I so disgusting that you wouldn't even consider being with me?" he continued. His eyes sparkling in the sunset. "Tell me—Is Alex better than me?"
My stomach twisted. Everyone must have gone home by now. I had missed my afternoon lectures without realizing how much time I'd spent daydreaming. Chris kept coming closer until my back hit the railings. We stood just inches apart.
"Chris, I… I didn't mean it. I was just joking," I whispered.
"What did you mean then?" he pressed. "That I can't date you? Why didn't you answer Alex? He's a senior. I'm just a freshman. I saw it in your eyes—you wanted to say yes. What's holding you back? Alex is 'man enough,' and I'm just a little boy, right? That's why it's so gross to even think about dating me?"
Without warning, my hand lifted and I slapped him. "Chris, stop it! Enough! What is wrong with you?" I cried, my voice shaking. "I didn't even want to answer Alex, but I'll give you three reasons why I said no. One, I don't know him well enough. Two, I want to focus on my studies. And three…" My voice softened.
"…I don't even know who the right person is for me yet. So just—STOP."
"You slapped me again," he murmured, holding his cheek, more surprised than angry.
My heart dropped. "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry… it was impulse—please forgive me," I whispered, my chest tight with guilt.
I turned to leave, trying to breathe, trying to calm the storm inside me.
"Stop what?" he said quietly. His fingers wrapped around my arm and pulled me back—not harshly, but gently, like he was afraid I'd vanish if he let go. I tried to shake him off, but his grip stayed warm, steady, and unmovable. Our eyes met. Everything went still.
He looked impossibly cute—no, beautiful. Those eyes… they weren't just eyes. They were soft, deep, and pulling me in like gravity. I felt myself falling without even meaning to. My heart started pounding so fast I could hear it. Butterflies exploded in my stomach. My breath hitched.
He stepped a little closer. Just a little. Enough for me to feel his warmth. A small smile tugged at his lips, the kind of smile that melted every bit of anger I had left. He leaned in, his lips just inches from my ear, his breath soft against my skin.
Then, in the sweetest, teasing whisper, he said: "Got you."
For a second I forgot how to breathe. Then he began laughing—quiet, warm, the kind of laugh that made my heart flutter even harder. I stood frozen trying to process what just happened. My heart dropped. My cheeks burned—not from his whisper, but from the sting of his words, the humiliation. Was it just a joke to him? Was I just a joke?
"You didn't see that coming, did you? Oh my goodness, your face! It was priceless!" Chris laughed, holding his stomach.
"Oh, you think it's funny? Chris, if you don't want me to hate you, then stop making jokes like that," I snapped angrily as I opened the door and stormed off.
"Oh no, not the mood swings. You're so capricious," he said, running after me.
I rushed outside and pulled out my purple bike.
"Felicity, please listen to me!" Chris called, but I didn't respond or turn around. He caught up and touched my shoulder. I shrugged him off. He grabbed my arm again.
"Hey, stop it!" I warned.
"C'mon, Fel, please forgive me. I know it was stupid. I'm really sorry," he pleaded.
"I'm good home, Chris. Please leave me alone," I said, hopping on the bike
"Felicity, don't do this. Please," he begged.
I glanced back and started riding down the street. He followed me.
"Just let me be, okay?" I said as I rode off.
"Please forgive me. I'll see you tomorrow then!" he shouted.
I didn't reply. All I could think about was going home, taking a hot bath and sleeping. My chest felt heavy. I couldn't believe he'd do something like that. I think he likes me but maybe he's scared, but scared of what. Before I knew it, I reached home. I felt awful. It was the second-worst day of my life. The first was about my Dad. I hated him for leaving Mom and that's no excuse.
The streetlamp light spilled across my messy apartment floor. I didn't bother cleaning anything. My clothes were scattered everywhere like my thoughts. I freshened up, changed, and curled on my bed. I put in my earpods and played Taylor Swift's "Last Kiss" and I couldn't say it out loud what I felt inside. The tears I didn't want to admit slid down anyway.
I thought about the past—how Theodore broke my heart—and the present—how Chris walked with his hands in his pockets, how he joked earlier today. And then there was Noah, who kept ignoring me… or maybe it was all just in my head. My heart hurt—not just because of them, but because I'd allowed myself to feel something again, and feelings were dangerous. Too dangerous. So I lay on my bed, skipping dinner, letting all those tangled thoughts swirl and twist until they were too heavy to breathe.
> > > > > > > > > >
Christopher's POV.
As I walked down the street, one thought kept repeating: 'I'm falling for her and Alex or Noah can't take away what's mine.' When I reached her door, I knocked.
"Felicity Paddington, I'm truly sorry. Don't forget to forgive me for what I did. Punish me if you must, but please open the door," I pleaded.
"Go away. I don't want to see you," she said.
"I'm not leaving until you open this door," I insisted.
"I'm already asleep. Go away now," she replied, trying to trick me.
"Ah! Okay. Since you're asleep, I should go home, right? Nice try. Nope. I know you're awake. Just open the door, please," I said.
She groaned loudly enough for the whole building to hear, then yanked the door open. "Fine. What is it?"
"Can I come in, please?"
She didn't answer, just opened the door wider, stepped back and returned to sit on her bed. I walked inside.
"I'm really sorry for being stupid. I was just joking, and I didn't know it would hurt you this much. I'm truly sorry. Please forgive me."
But in my mind, the truth echoed: That's a lie. I love her. She will be mine one day.
"What you did really hurt, Chris. How can I pretend everything's fine when it's not?" A tear rolled down her cheek. "Please leave."
"Felicity, please… I'm begging you." I pleaded.
"I can't. At least not right now. I need time to think about what you did. You can't keep doing this to me. Just leave me alone for today." She held her stomach, wincing and I wondered if she was hungry.
"Alright," I said quietly. "If that's what you want. But I am deeply sorry, Fel. I hope one day you can forgive me."
Right then, her stomach growled.
"You're starving," I said quietly.
"No, I'm not. And it's none of your business. Please just go away."
"Okay… I'm going. Good night." I gave a goodbye wave and left.
But I didn't go far. A few minutes later, I bought her a burger and fries. Then I returned, set the bag on the floor, knocked gently on her door, and quickly hid around the corner.
A moment later, she opened the door and stepped out, confused. Her eyes landed on the food, then she glanced around the hallway—seeing no one. Slowly, her expression softened as she picked up the bag.
"I know this is from Chris," she whispered with a tiny smile.
I smiled to myself, proud and relieved, then quietly walked away. A few second later, I pulled out my phone and called Jake.
"Hey mate, meet me at the bar in two minutes and bring the guys."
"What's wrong?" Jake asked.
"I don't want to talk about it over the phone. Just meet me there," I replied.
At the bar a few minutes later, they arrived.
"Hey, fellas," they all greeted.
"Hey," I replied glumly.
"Okay, spill it. What's wrong with you? Why are you so down?" Brian asked.
I sighed. "I messed up." I told them the whole story.
"Damn, Chris! Why would you do that? Are you crazy?" Jake asked.
"What about the bet, huh?" Liam added.
"I know, I know. I sighed. "But this isn't a game anymore. It stopped being a game the moment I saw her cry. I think I'm falling for her and not in a stupid, shallow way. She's incredible, one of a kind. She's in my mind and head, constantly. And I can't lose her not to Alex or Noah. Not because of a dumb joke" I admitted.
"Wait… who's this Alex or Noah? Your little challenge buddies?" Jake's laugh cut through the air, sharp and teasing. "Wow… she's got quite a few suitors or should I say attractions?" His eyes glinted, daring me to react.
I glared at him, unable to hide my annoyance, my fists clenched and jaw tight. "Don't start," I warned, my voice low and tense.
Brian leaned closer, his curiosity obvious. "So… what are you going to do now?"
"I… I don't know," I whispered, tension coiling in my chest.
When the waiter brought the drinks, I took orange juice since I don't drink alcohol. The background music was playing Die With a Smile by Bruno Mars, and it made me even sadder.
"Chris, I'm sorry. But cheer up mate, okay?" Jake said gently.
"Can I stay at your place tonight?" I asked.
"Yeah, sure," Jake replied.
"Alright guys, let's call it a night. Tomorrow is another day—we'll deal with this then. I'm sleepy," Liam said with a yawn.
We finished our drinks, I paid the bill, and we all walked out together. Tomorrow would be another day—and somehow, I had to fix things with her.
> > > > > > > > > >
Alexander POV.
I took a deep breath and asked, "Will you be my girlfriend?" I waited—seconds stretching, my heart pounding—expecting a yes or even a no. But Felicity didn't answer. She turned and ran. Regret hit me instantly. I shouldn't have asked her in front of everyone. I jumped down and chased after her, catching up quickly. I grabbed her hand, gentle but firm.
"Hey—hey," I said softly. "What's wrong? Why did you run off like that?"
She spun toward me, her eyes blazing.
"Is that a real question?" she snapped. "What do you want from me? Tell me—what do you really want?"
"Hey, don't be mad," I said softly. "I like you, Felicity—really. I shouldn't have asked you out in front of everyone. I regret it. I'm sorry."
She let out a sharp laugh and turned away. "You've got to be kidding me. After just a few days, you like me? Seriously? You barely know me."
"Please, Felicity," I said, my voice low. "Just give me a chance."
She paused, her shoulders stiff. "Just leave me alone, okay?" she whispered. "Please… just let me be."
Felicity ran away—upset, hurt, confused, angrier than I had ever seen her. Her head was held high, like I didn't exist, and I hadn't expected that. I hadn't expected her to leave like that. One second she was standing right in front of me, her eyes wide, hurt shining in them like something I never meant to break, and the next, she was already turning away. Just like that.
My chest tightened. Embarrassment, longing, heartbreak—something deeper twisted inside me, heat rising to my face. And that… that hurt more than it should have. The hallway suddenly felt too loud. Students passed by, whispering, glancing at me, but none of it mattered. Their faces blurred until there was only her—the girl walking away from me like I meant nothing.
My throat tightened. "Felicity—wait!" I called, taking a step forward, but something inside me cracked. I ran a hand through my hair, frustration burning in my chest. Why does everything come out wrong when I talk to her? Why do I always mess things up around her? Why do I sound like an idiot in front of the one person who makes my heart beat fast? Before I could stop myself, the words tore out of me.
"FELICITY! YOU'RE NOT SECOND PLACE! OR THIRD! YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE I WANT!"
My voice echoed through the corridor. A few heads turned, but I didn't care. She didn't turn back. She didn't slow down. She just kept walking—fast, determined, like she needed to escape the mess I had created, like she needed distance from my words and her breaking heart. Every step she took away felt like a small cut. And I stood there, frozen, swallowing a truth she never heard. That was what hurt the most—not that she walked away, but that my truth never reached her. Surrounded by noise, I felt nothing except the echo of her name pounding in my chest, wishing I could rewind, wishing I had been braver, sooner.
> > > > > > > > > >
Noah POV.
I slowed my steps across the hall, hands shoved deep in my pockets. Okay, maybe I'm overthinking this. Maybe I'm reading too much into tiny things, I muttered to myself. Yeah, that's it. Relax, Noah. It was lunchtime. Just go see her. Ask her to have lunch. Keep it simple. Talk. Laugh a little. Nothing serious. Nothing dramatic. Just normal conversation. But as I reached the cafeteria, a tall, confident guy—annoyingly handsome—stepped forward. He climbed onto a chair right in front of her, smiling like he owned the moment, and asked her out. Felicity froze—angry, confused, caught off guard. Not flattered. Not excited. Just… stunned. And then she ran, leaving the moment suspended in air.
My chest tightened. My heart ached in a way it shouldn't. Not from rejection, but from helplessness, from knowing I couldn't protect what I wanted most. Watching someone else so close to her, even imagining they could have her—it burned. Seeing her like that, untouchable, made me realize how badly I wanted to be the one she noticed, the one she trusted, the one she let in. And it terrified me how much that mattered. It wasn't about her words. It was about what I felt. Sharp, stupid pain—like someone had squeezed my chest too hard. Why did my heart hurt this much for someone I hadn't even asked out yet? Why did it feel like something precious had almost slipped away?
I stood there, half-hidden, watching her disappear from the hall, and I knew I wasn't overthinking anymore. I wasn't just "checking on Felicity." I was falling hard, and I didn't even know when it began. Felicity walked on, unaware of the chaos she'd left behind. For three boys, each in their own orbit, the world had tilted, each silently shouting the same truth: she was the only one.